A whimsical Victorian fountain in Central Park

Bethesda Fountain is the one tourists flock to. But just to the west is an ornate beauty dating to 1860, made with frosted glass bowl lamps, gilded black goblets, Minton tiles and topped by a golden spire.

This is Cherry Hill Fountain, in a part of the park overlooking the Lake and near the Ramble ringed by cherry trees.

I love the idea of providing a trough for the horses – both the transportation from another century as well as the enjoyment of riding a horse today. This Central Park fountain is a multi-functional thing-of-beauty.

I regret I cannot remember WHERE I saw another fountain that had a similar ‘thought’ behind the design.

The fountain had been built for the human eye to enjoy the overall enjoyment of the pretty, trickling waterfall; Then, there was a ‘water-the-hoss’ area; However, the best portions of the fountain, were the low, framed pools created at just the right height for thirsty canines and other critters. What a thoughtful addition for all living creatures that might meander nearby the fountain on a hot summer afternoon…